Canton Crossing opening set for Oct. 8

The Shops at Canton Crossing will open for business Oct. 8, the project's developers said Wednesday.

The shopping center on Boston Street in Canton, anchored by grocer Harris Teeter and Target, has been under construction for just over a year and is one of the city's largest new retail developments.

Most shops and restaurants in the 325,000-square-foot center plan to be ready for shoppers by the 5 p.m. official opening.

The $105 million Canton Crossing sits on 31 acres of waterfront between Baylis and South Haven streets. The project is being developed by BCP Partners, which includes principals of Chesapeake Real Estate Group, 28 Walker Associates and Birchwood Capital Partners.

Besides Target, the stores that will be open by Oct. 8 include: Michaels, DSW, Five Below, Ulta, Old Navy, Loft, Vitamin Shoppe, Sleepy's, Nail Trix and Fresh Cleaners. A spokeswoman for Harris Teeter was checking on the opening date for that store. UPDATE: The grocer, which had planned to open this fall, now expects to open in the first quarter of next year.

Restaurants that will open by Oct. 8 include Red Robin, Mission BBQ, Yogi Castle and Samos Greek Island Grill.